THE MISSISSIPPI KITE

Vol. 9 (2) December 1979 THE MISSISSIPPI KITE 27

A Periodical Published by the Mississippi Ornithological Society to Record and Further the Study of Mississippi Birdlife. Vol. 9, No. 2 December 1979

Contents FOOD OF NESTLING LITTLE BLUE HERONS IN AN UPLAND MISSISSIPPI HERONRY 28 David F. Werschkul RHYTHMIC FEEDING PATTERNS AMONG HOUSE SPARROWS James N. Sappington 31 A NEST RECORD FOR THE AMERICAN GOLDFINCH IN MISSISSIPPI 35 Randall C. Warren and George A. Hurst A CASE OF MISIDENTIFICATION AND COMMENTS ON THE VALUE OF PHOTOGRAPHIC RECORDS Jerome A. Jackson 36 AN UNUSUAL INSTANCE OF MORTALITY IN THE BARN SWALLOW Ren Lohoefener 38 FIRST RECORD OF THE BRIDLED TERN IN MISSISSIPPI Martha B. Hays 39 BRIDLED TERN: FIRST OBSERVATION OF A LIVE BIRD IN MISSISSIPPI 40 Larry Gates and Terrie Fairley BLUE-FACED BOOBY NEAR HORN ISLAND, MISSISSIPPI 42 C. Dwight Cooley, Jerome A. Jackson, and Donald K. Cavin BIRDS AROUND THE STATE: JUNE AND JULY 1979 43 Compiled by Jerome A. Jackson REVIEWS 46

Front Cover: A Clapper Rail at its nest at the Dupont Plant near Delisle, Mississippi, 15 May 1978. Photo by Jerome A. Jackson. 28 THE MISSISSIPPI KITE

Food of tiestling Little Blue Herons J..rl an Upland Missi~ Heronry David F. Werschkul Department of Biological Sciences Mississippi State University 1 Mis~issippi State, Mississippi 39762 I studied the reproductive biology and ecology of the Little Blue Heron (Florida caerulea) in a heronry located near Brooksville, Missis­ sippi (33 0 lO'N 87 0 45'W). For information on heronry structure, history, and species composition see Werschku1 (1977a). During the 1977 breeding season I collected and analyzed regurgitated food pellets from nestling birds. The caloric content was measured as follows: (1) samples by separating food pellets into identifiable components; (2) dry weight by desiccating at 103 0 C for 72 h; (3) ash free dry weight (AFDW) by com­ bustion at 550 0 C for 6 h; and (4) energy content by combustion in a Paar Adiabiatic Bomb Calorimeter Model 1214T~. All analyses were done in triplicate. Accuracy was such that the variation among triplicates for net energy content was within 1.5% of the mean. Herein I report my findings. I collected 30 pellets by walking through the heronry and picking up pellets regurgitated by juveniles. Juveniles between the ages of 11 and 25 days readily regurgitate when alarmed. Of the 30 pellets 13 were not appreciably digested, were intact, and probably represented the entire last feeding. These 13 intact food pellets averaged 14.33 g (50=3.57). I observed juveniles to be fed about 5 times per day between the ages of 11 and 21 days so their average intake would ge 71.65 g. The net caloric content of this food was 101.26 Kjoules g- AFDW. The diet of nestling Little Blue Herons consisted primarily of fish, crayfish, and amphibians (Table 1). Fish, primarily Lepomis spp., were the most common prey item in both quantity and volume. Amphibians were the least common. Amphibians were, however, the food source with the highest caloric value (106.69 Kjoules g-l AFDW) followed by fish (101.25 Kjou1es g-l AFDW), and crayfish (99.58 Kjoules g-l AFDW). Preyavail­ ability and abundance must override caloric content in shaping the search image of Little Blue Herons. Jenni (1969) found, by volume, the diet of Little Blue Herons in north Florida to be 54% amphibian, 33% fish, and 12% invertebrate. Mean1ey (1955), although he did not report food by volume, also found amphibians to be the most common large prey. Amphibians were in 26% of the pellets he examined. They were followed in frequency by crayfish, found in 24% of the pellets, and fish, found in 14% of the pellets. The lesser· frequency of amphibians from nestlings at Brooksville is puzzling 1present address: 306 Wharf, Rural Delivery, Brookings, OR 97415. Table 1. Food of nestling Little Blue Herons.

Phyla Class Species # items (%) Volume (%) Length ± 1 SD in ml (cm)

Chordata Amphibia Rana catesbeiana 2 (2) 19 (6) 6.3 ± 1.8 Rana sp. 6 (5) 14 (4) 4.3 ± 0.8 <: Amphibia subtotals 8 (7) 33 (10) 0 Teleostomi Gambusia affinis 9 (7) 12 (4) 4.1 ± 0.6 <.D --- N Esox americanus 3 (3) 8 (2) 11.0 ± 1.8 0 CD (") Fundulus notti 3 (3) 4 (1) 4.8 ± 0.3 :;CD r:r CD Elassoma zona tum 6 (5) 3 (1) 2.3 ± 1.4 ,

<.D Amia calva (1) 5 (2) 9.5 'J ----- <.D Lepomis spp.* 59 (49) 154 (47) 4.3 ± 1.4 unidentified 2 (2) 4 (1) Teleostomi subtotals 83 (69) 190 (58) Arthropoda Crustacea Pomifelis sp. 3 (3) 2 (1) 3.5 ± 0.5

unidentified crayfish** 27 (22) 102 (31) 7.6 ± 1.8 Crustacea subtotals 30 (25) 104 (32) N * includes L. macrochi rus , ~ cyanellus, ~ marginatus; ** includes Procambaras, Cambaras. <.D ------

30 THE MISSISSIPPI KITE

since the habitat of the 3 studies is similar. The solution is probably prey availability. During 1977 little rain fell in the Brooksville area during the nesting season (Werschkul 1977b) and amphibian populations, many dependent on temporary pools for breeding, were low (R. Altig pers. comm.). I thank Drs. R. Altig and G. Clemmer for help in identification of prey items. The study was supported in part by funds from the Frank M. Chapman Memorial Fund of the American Museum of Natural History and the Sigma Xi Grant-in-Aid Program. Dr. Jerome Jackson provided helpful comments on an early draft of this manuscript. Literature Clted Jenni, D.A. 1969. A study of the ecology of four species of herons during the breeding season at Lake Alice Alachua County, Florida. Ecol. Monogr. 39:245-270. Meanley, B. 1955. A nesting study of the Little Blue Heron in eastern Arkansas. Wilson Bull. 67:84-99. Werschkul, D.F. 1977a. Present status of the Cliftonville heronry. Mississippi Kite 7:36-39. . 1977b. Interactions between Cattle Egrets, Bubulcus ibis, and ----Little Blue Herons, Florida caerulea, during the breeding season. Ph.D. Thesis, MissisSlippi State Uni\lersity. Vol. 9(2), December 1979 31

Rhythmic Feeding Patterns Among House Sparrows James N. Sappington Department of Biology William Carey College Hattiesburg, Mississippi Most species of birds adopt diurnal or nocturnal rhythmic patterns of behavior that are synchronized with the 24-hour solar day. Feeding rhythms have been studied in species of birds ranging from American Wi geons (Ma reca ameri cana) (Leck 1971) to House Sparrows (Passer domesticu~mmers-Smith 1963). In a 4-year study of House Sparrow breeding activities at Mississippi State University, Oktibbeha County, Mississippi, from 1972 through 1975, I observed temporal rhythmic feeding patterns of House Sparrows under natural conditions in 4 different nesting areas. During the winter months of 1972 and 1973 I studied the extent of feeding activity in adult House Sparrows. A more detailed study of the feeding of nestlings was made from 1972 through 1975. A total of 254 nests was studied. My observations included 145 days on which continuous observations were made from 05:00 to 19:00 and 32 days on which I ob­ served nests for shorter intervals. Because of the placement of nests I was able to observe from 1 to 7 nests at one time. The number of visits to the nest with food was used as a measure of feeding activity. Royama (1966) stated that feeding frequencies are far too variable to be used as a true index of food consumption per nestling, but according to Pettingill (1970), no matter how food is supplied, the individual nestlings receive approximately equal amounts during the course of a day due to automatic apportionment. Records were kept of the number of food visits for each hour of the day for each nest. Statistical analyses were performed on the UNIVAC 1106 computer at Mississippi State University. Basic statistics were obtained from these data by the first option of UNIVAR (1973 version), a basic statistics program written by D.M. Power. The second option of UNIVAR was used to rank the means in descending order by Gabriel's sum of squares simultane­ ous test procedures (SS-STP). I Llsed a probabil i ty 1eve 1 of 0.05 as the criterion for significance in all statistical analyses. The hourly rate of nestling feeding followed a similar pattern for each year and for each of the colonies. Three peak feeding periods occurred daily, late morning, mid afternoon, and late afternoon (Fig. 1). Feeding was minimal between 05:00 and 06:00 and between 18:00 and 19:00. Although the diurnal variation in feeding followed a rhythmic pattern, analysis showed significant differences among the hours of activity. Where these differences occurred is revealed by the 5S-STP analysis 32 THE MISSISSIPPI KITE

(Tab1e 1). I found a mean feeding rate of 16.5 times per hour with a mean of 3.55 young per nest (Sappington 1977). Kendeigh (1952) reported a mean rate of 20 times per hour for nestling House Sparrows with 4 in the nest. Comparison of our data sets indicates that they do not differ significantly (x2 = 0.334). TABLE 1. Comparison of mean total number of hourly visits to nests made by House Sparrows feeding nestlings.

Time (CST)* Number of Cases Mean SS-STP

1400-1500 293 27.1 1000-1100 297 27.0 1700-1800 298 24.4 0600-0700 295 19.9 0900-1000 298 19.7 1100-1200 296 18.7 0700-0800 296 18.6 1300-1400 299 17.8 1500-1600 295 17.6 1600-1700 297 17.5 1200-1300 294 17.4 0800-0900 294 16.9 0500-0600 300 6.3 1800-1900 205 6.3

Hour intervals are arranged in descending order of magnitude of the mean frequency at which nest1ings were fed. Lines in the c01umn label1ed SS­ STP connect hour interva1s for which the feeding rates are not signifi­ cant1y different.

My study of adult House Sparrow foraging activity during the winter showed also that the feeding rate was synchronized with 3 peaks occurring, one in the ear1y morning 1asting until about 08:00, another near the middle of the day from 12:00 to 14:00, and the third beginning about 16:00 and continuing until just before going to roost. I postulate that the reduction of feeding nest1ings by parents during the early morning and late afternoon was because they were feeding themselves during those times. •

Vol. 9(2)~ DeG~mber;1979 33<

10

5

o 0500 0700 0900 1100 1300 1500 1700 1900 0600 0800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800 Time in Hours (CST) Figure 1. House Sparrow Nestling Feedings per hour (Sample sizes as in Table 1). 34 THE MISSISSIPPI KITE

Both the early morning and late afternoon feedings by birds are essential in replenishing food stores to provide energy for everyday activities and metabolic processes during the night, respectively. I wish to thank Dr. Jerome A. Jackson who encouraged the writing of this manuscript, Dr. Fred M. Speed and his programmers for advice with my computer programs, and Kenneth Bicker, Robert Kirkland, Gordon McWilliams, and Robert Stewart for their valuable assistance in data collection. I gratefully acknowledge the Frank M. Chapman Memorial Fund of the American Museum of Natural History for part of my financial support. Literature Cited Kendeigh, S.C. 1934. The role of environment in the life of birds. Ecol. Monogr. 4:299-417 . . 1952. Parental care and its evolution in birds. Illinois Biol. ------Monogr. 22:i-x, 1-356. Leek, C.F. 1971. A method for the study of feeding rhythms in waterfowl. Bull. New Jersey Acad. Sci. 16:13-14. Pettingill, O.S" Jr. 1970. Ornithology in laboratory and field. Burgess Pub1i shi ng Company, ~li nneapo1is. Royama, T. 1966. Factors governing feeding rate, food requirement and brood size of nestling Great Tits (Parus major). Ibis 108:313-347. Sappington, J.N. 1977. Breeding biology of House Sparrows in North Mississippi. Wilson Bull. 89:300-309. Summers-Smith, J.D. 1963. The House Sparrow. Collins, London. Vol. 9(2), December 1979 35

~ Nest Record for the American Goldfinch in Mississippi Randall C. Warren and George A. Hurst Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Mississippi State University Mississippi State, MS 39762 On 17 June 1976, Warren found an American Goldfinch (Carduelis tristis) nest about 11.2 km (7 miles) southwest of Wahalak, Kemper-County, Mississippi in a Weyerhaeuser Company 5-year-old loblolly pine (Pinus tieda) plantation, an area that had been site prepared by tree-crushing and b"urning. The female was seen as she was flushed from the nest. The nest contained 3 pale bluish-white eggs and was lined with thistle down. A common plant in the immediate area at the time was yellow thistle (Carduus spinosissimus). Nest measurements were: 4.50 cm inside diameter, 4.10 cm depth, 7.25 cm outside diameter, and 7.20 cm height. The nest was in a forked limb of a willow oak (Quercus phellos) sapling, about 1.1 m above the ground. Four smaller branches radiated around the fork, thus making a whorled arrangement. The sapling had a diameter of 4.6 cm and was 2.4 m tall. The upper crown was dead, having been "top killed" by an aerial application of herbicide in May 1975. On 23 June, when the nest was revisited, neither parent was observed and the eggs were gone. Although the nest was not disturbed, predation by a snake was suspected. Several gray rat snakes (Elaphe obsoleta spiloides) had been seen within 100 m of the nest site. The nest was collected and is in the ornithological collection in the Biological Sciences Department at Mississippi State University. American Goldfinches have been seen carrying nest material, feeding, and just flying about the many young pine plantations in Kemper and Oktibbeha Counties since 1974 (Randy Warren, M.Sc. Thesis, Miss. State Univ., Miss. St., 1979). As far as we know, however, the observations reported here are the first documentation of American Goldfinches nesting in Mississippi. We regard young pine plantations with many hardwood saplings and thistle plants as excellent American Goldfinch nest habitat. With the southern forest industry creating hundreds of thousands of acres of pine plantations annually, the relationship of American Goldfinches to pine plantations should be further investigated. 36 THE MISSISSIPPI KITE

A Case of Misidentification and Comments on the Value of Photographic Records Jerome A. Jackson Department of Biological Sciences Mississippi State University Mississippi State, Mississippi 39762 Dwight Cooley, Bette Schardien, and I recently reported on our ob­ servations of Sooty Terns (Sterna fuscata) which we had observed on Horn Island, Mississippi (Jackson et al., Mississippi Kite 8(2):42, 1978). Our report was based first of all on our observation of at least three Sooty Terns seen flying near the south shore of the island. These birds were observed. for SOl1)e time and carefully compared to field guide illustrations. Cooley andSchardienhad previously seen the species. I had never seen Sooty Terns before. Later the same day I found a strange tern sitting on the beach and immediately assumed it was a Sooty Tern. I photographed the bird and this photo was used to illustrate our article. None of us ques­ tioned the identity of the photographed bird. I failed to compare the photograph .with field guide illustrations and my students accepted my "authority." As it turns out, the identity of the photographed bird is very questionable. The photo has been examined by a number of authorities at the U.S •. National Museum, the University of South Florida, and else­ where, and most feel strongly that the bird was a Black Tern (Chlidonias niger). Still there is some doubt about the bird's identity - and this doubt is shared by a few of those examining the photo. While the overall impression from the photograph is that of a typical winter plumage Black Tern, the colored slide from which the black-and-white print was made clearly shows a much darker bird than a typical winter Black Tern (Fig. 1). Furthermore, I was able to approach to within a meter of the bird before it flew and I was confident at the time that this bird was much larger than a Black Tern. The odds nonetheless favor the notion that the bird was a Black Tern - in which case it represents a late record for Missis­ sippi (14 October 1978). While the issue may be settled for some, there will always be a question in my mind concerning the bird's identity. In spite of having an excellent photograph to examine, this record of either a Sooty or a Black tern will forever remain clouded. Herein lies the remainder of my tale and a lesson for all. Ironically the Sooty Tern article was followed by an essay I wrote (Mississippi Kite 8(2):43-47) titled: . "What constitutes a valid rare bird record?" In the article I stated "Specimens and good photographs are nearly of equal acceptabil ity. Good sound recordi ngs may rank next." Clearly the dilemma of the mystery tern refutes the equality of specimen and photographic records. In some cases there is clearly no substitute for a specimen. It is difficult and often impossible to measure the size of a bird from a photograph and light conditions can distort the "true" Vol. 9(2), December 1979 37 color and pattern of a bird. Photographic records - or sound recordings ­ of course stand out above sight records and ~ be adequate documentation, but their value to science will vary with circumstance and species. The superior value of a specimen is clear, though I do not advocate the collection of birds that are rare or unusual in an area just to document their occurrence.

Figure 1. (Left) Tern photographed on Horn Island 14 October 1978 (from Mississippi Kite 8(2):42). (Right) Black Tern photographed on Horn Island on 8 July 1979. The subject of this article and the two articles mentioned above has been the establishment of valid rare bird records. I have not discussed the many uses to which specimens are put nor the needs of scientists for large series of specimens. Specimen collections have contributed and will continue to contribute significantly to ornithological knowledge. 38 THE MISSISSIPPI KITE

An Unusual Instance of Mortality in the Barn Swallow Ren Lohoefener Department of Biological Sciences P.O. Drawer GY, Mississippi State University Mississippi State, Mississippi 39762 On 26 May 1979, I observed a pair of Barn Swallows (Hirundo rustica) refurbishing a nest that had been used during the previous season. The first egg was laid in the nest on 30 May and 3 eggs were present the morning of 1 June. I visited the n~st again on 4 June and 3 eggs were still ~resent but so was the body of the male Barn Swallow. Evidently, while attempting to add to the nest lining, the bird had found a piece of monofilament fishing line (about 37 cm long). While incorporating this line into the nest lining, the swallow had become entangled and was hang­ ing in the loops of the monofilament line. The female continued to visit the nest but was not observed after 7 June. Bent (U.S. Natl. Mus. Bull. 179, 1942) writes of Barn Swallows becom­ ing hopelessly entangled in horse hairs when attempting to line the nest with them. It appears that in this instance a modern synthetic was used in place of animal hair with like results. I have found many different species of waterfowl and waterbirds entangled in monofilament fishing line. Likewise, I have observed nests of other landbirds in which monofilament fishing line had been used in the construction. This was the first instance where I observed death to occur in a landbird due to monofilament fishing 1i ne.

Did you know that Common Nighthawks (above), other Caprimulgids, herons, and the Barn Owl all have "combs" on the mi ddl e cl aw of each foot? They apparently use these in preening. (Photo by J.A. Jackson) Vol. 9(2), December 1979 39

First Record of the Bridled Tern in Mississippi Martha B. Hays National Fish and Wildlife Laboratory National Museum of Natural History Washington, D.C., 20560 On 26 May 1979, while marking Least Tern nests in Mississippi City, Mississippi (30°23' Lat. 89°00' Long.), I found a mummified carcass of a tern in the sand next to the seawall, approximately 65 m from the high tide line. I collected the specimen, and upon examination at the National Museum of Natural History, I identified it as a Bridled Tern (sterna anaethetus), a species not previously recorded from Mississippi. The specimen has been deposited at the U.S. National Museum (USNM #576070). The bird was an adult with the following characteristics still evident: (1) white forehead and eyebrow stripe extending beyond the eye, (2) light gray feathers in the tail, and (3) light gray feathers on the hind neck -- all of which distinguish it from the similar Sooty Tern (~. fuscata). Bridled Terns are seen regularly on the Atlantic Coast from North Carolina to Florida in the summer and fall (Clapp, R. B. and W. Hoffman, pers. comm.), but heretofore have only been recorded sporadically in the Gulf of Mexico. This species is seen occasionally off Clearwater, Florida, but there are relatively few records for other states bordering the Gulf (Kale, H. W., II. 1977. Florida Region. Am. Birds 31:988-992., W. Hoffman, pers. comm.). However, Charles D. Duncan, who has been involved recently with the at-sea surveys off Dauphin Island, Alabama, in the Gulf of Mexico, stated (pers. comm.) that Bridled Terns have been commonly observed along windrows of sargassum weed from April to September; as many as 14 were seen at one time. The species is clearly more abundant in the Gulf than has been previously supposed. I thank Roger Clapp and Wayne Hoffman for aid in identifying the specimen and for helpful comments on the manuscript; I also thank Roxie Laybourne for comments on the plumage of the specimen. V:-mr·n~ _

40 THE MISSISSIPPI KITE

Bridled Tern: . First Observation of ~ Live Bird ~ Mississippi Larry Gates and Terrie Fairley 2911 Mamie Street and Route 8, Box 71 Hattiesburg, Mississippi 39401

In the early morning hours of 13 September 1979 the western edge of Hurricane Frederic passed through Hattiesburg, Mississippi with wind gusts as strong as ninety miles per hour. The hurricane left in its wake up­ rooted trees, downed power lines and several species of birds which are not normally seen away from the coast. (Hattiesburg is seventy miles inland.) At 08:00 Gates discovered a flock of fourteen Royal Terns (Thalasseus maximus) flying over one of the four large sewage lagoons which lie adjacent to the Leaf River within the city limits of Hattiesburg. The sky was overcast at that time and the wind was gusting out of the north enough that the tripod being used to support the 20x telescope through which the birds were being observed had to be held to prevent it from blowing over. At 08:05 a smaller and more graceful tern soared through the flock. From the considerable distance from which it was being observed it appeared to be black above and white beneath. It tended to fly lower over the water than other terns which we have seen in Mississippi. It also seemed to soar more and flap less. The bird gradually came closer and at about 08:15 flew to within 40 feet of Gates who identified it as a Bridled Tern (Sterna anaethetus). Until the bird came close it was believed to be a Sooty Tern (Sterna fuscata). From 40 feet it was obvious that the bird had a white nape behind the black cap and a dark gray rather than black back. From this range it was also apparent that the bird had silvery white outer tail feathers on a deeply forked tail. After passing by the observer the bird suddenly came down and landed just out of sight on the edge of a dam be­ tween two sewage ponds. Gates drove to the spot where the bird had dis­ appeared and approached the place where the bird was believed to be with a camera and a pair of 7x35 binoculars. The bird was sUddenly seen only 15 feet away. Certain identification was possible at this time even with­ out binoculars. The bird had a black bill and a thin black line through the eye which joined the black cap at a point well behind the eye. The bird had a white forehead and a white area between the cap and the eye line. Unfortunately, the bird jumped into the air as the camera was being focused, but two quick pictures were taken of the bird in flight before it flew off and out of sight. The pictures, though blurry, show the white area that extends to behind the top of the eye, the white nape and the underwing pattern (Fig. 1). From beneath the wings were white with a well-defined black band of uniform width along the trailing edge. Fairley arrived at the lagoons at about 08:40 and the Bridled Tern was nowhere in sight. She and LG drove around each of the ponds looking for it for about an hour before re-1ocating it. During this hour we saw three Sandwich Vol. 9(2), December 1979 41

Terns (Thalasseus sandvicensis), a Red Knot (Calidris canutus) and a Sanderling (Crocethia alba) all of which are quite unusual away from the coast. The Bridled Tern was seen again at about 09:40 and studied through 7x35 binoculars and a 20x telescope for about ten minutes. During this time Fairley was able to see the major field identification marks including the white collar which separated the black cap from the dark gray back. She concurred in the identification of the bird as a Bridled Tern. For a time the Bridled Tern was seen flying with Sandwich Terns and Forster's Terns (Sterna forsteri). The Bridled Tern was smaller than the Sandwi ch Terns and cl osein size to the Forster's Terns, though a little larger. The bird was searched for in the late morning and after­ noon by several other observers, but it was never seen again. A Black Skimmer (R ncho Ps nigra) showed up in the afternoon as did several Laugh­ ing Gulls Larus atricilla). Eight species of terns were seen on 13 and 14 Septembe-r-.1 -

Figure 1. A Bridled Tern at Hattiesburg. Photos by Larry Gates. Bridled Terns have been recorded once in Alabama (Imhof 1976) and twice in Louisiana (Lowery 1974). Only one of the Louisiana records in­ volved a live bird. In. May 1979 a badly decomposed tern, which was even­ tually identified as a Bridled Tern, was found on the beach at Gulfport, Mississippi. We know of no other Mississippi records of this species. Literature Cited Imhof, T.A. 1976. Alabama Birds. 2nd ed. University of Alabama Press, University. Lowery, G.H. Jr. 1974. Louisiana Birds. 3rd ed. Louisiana State University Press, Baton Rouge. 42 THE MISSISSIPPI KITE

Blue-faced Booby Near Horn Island, Mississippi C. Dwight Cooley, Jerome A. Jackson, .nd Don.ld K. Cavin Department of Biological Sciences Mississippi State University Mississippi State, MS 39762 At approximately 16:00 on 6 July 1979 while enroute from Horn Island to the spoil island off the west tip of Petit Bois Island, Jackson Co., Mississippi, we observed a Blue-faced Booby (Sula dactylatra) flying at approximately 15 m over Mississippi Sound near the east tip of Horn Island. We first observed the booby 250 mwest of our position .nd followed the bird as it flew to the east out of sight past the spoil island. At one point it was well within 50 m and all field marks were noted using 7 x 35 mm binoculars. At the time of the sighting the sky was clear, temperature 90°F, and winds were from the southeast at 5 mph. Lighting conditions were excellent and the following field marks were noted as the bird flew leisurely by, allowing front, side, and back views: large, immature booby with slow, strong wingbeats. Head uniformly brown down the neck to a point anterior to a line with the wings. Dorsally, the primaries and secondaries were black with the anterior portion of the wings brown with small white spots. The back region was brown with small flecks of white, extending back to the upper tail coverts. The upper tail coverts were light and the rectrices dark, giving the appearance of a light tail patch bordered on the front by the brown back and on the back and sides by the dark rectrices. The belly was light and the underwings appeared much the same as the upper wings. The brown head and back and the light belly and area anterior to the wings gave the impression of a light collar and a dark hood, characteristic of immature Blue-faced Boobies. In flight the bird held its head at a 45° angle to the water, a behavioral pattern noted by Cooley in both adult and immature boobies on several occasions off the Alabama coast. This is the second sight record for the state, the other was of five adults on 27 September 1978 by Toups and Morgan (Jackson and Cooley, Miss. Kite, 8:49, 1978). There are numerous sightings from other areas along the northern Gulf Coast and the species is now considered a regular visitor to the region (T.A. Imhof, pers. comm.). Vol. 9(2), December 1979 43

Birds Around the State: June and ~ 1979 Compiled by Jerome A. Jackson Department of Biological Sciences Mississippi State University Mississippi State, Mississippi 39762 The following is a summary of noteworthy bird sightings in Missis­ sippi for the period 1 June through 31 July 1979. The list of sightings is followed by a key to observers' initials and another key identifying localities mentioned. The significance of sightings is indicated by a capital letter in parentheses following a record. These letters and their meanings are as follows: (A) = arrival date; (D) = departure date; (E) = exceptionally early date; (L) =exceptionally late date; (N) = unusually large number; (R) = species rare in area. Other abbreviations include the following: m = male, f = female, imm = immature, ad = adult, pr = pair, pl = plumage.

All contributors lease note instructions given in the Mississ~ Kite 8 2 :61-62, for submission of records.

COMMON LOON -- ~ winter pl., 5-6 July, Horn I., JJ, CDC; ~ winter pl., 9 July, East Ship I., JJ, CDC. EARED GREBE -- 1, 5 June, Hattiesburg, TF (L). PIED-BILLED GREBE -- 1 ad, 21 July, PRM, JT, LG, PO, WW. WHITE PELICAN -- 2, 6-June, PRM, JT, MH. BLUE-FACED BOOBY ~- 1 imm, 6 July, Horn I., CDC, JJ (R). MAGNIFICENT FRIGATEBIRD -- 140, 11 July, Ocean Springs, MH (N); £Z~, 25 July, Harrison and Jackson Cos., JT (N). GREEN HERON -- 10 (4 ad, 6 imm), 6 June, PRM, JT, MH. CATTLE EGRET ---Ca. 40, 19 June, Grenada Lake, MD. REDDISH EGRET -- 1, TO July, East Ship I., CDC, JJ (N); £, 12 July, Horn I., MH; 1 ad, 25 July, Biloxi, JT. LEAST BITTERN--- 1, 19 June, Grenada Lake, MD. WHITE IBIS -- l§. T8 ad, 10 imm), 19 July, Horn 1., MH. GREEN-WINGED TEAL -- 1 ad m, 9-16 June, PRM, JT. BLUE-WINGED TEAL -- 6-(1 ad f, 5 imm), 9 June, PRM, JT (photographed by PO on June 10);-.§., 28 July, PRM, MH. WOOD DUCK -- 4 (1 ad f, 3 imm), 16 June, PRM, JT. RING-NECKED DUCK -- 1, all summer, Hattiesburg, LG, TF. RUDDY DUCK -- i (2 m, 2 f), all summer, Hattiesburg, LG, TF. SWALLm/-TAILED KITE --1, 11 July, Hattiesburg, TF (R). RED-SHOULDERED HAWK -- 3, 3 June, Jackson Co., JT. BROAD-WINGED HAWK -- 2 ad, 3 June, Jackson Co., ,n. AMERICAN KESTREL -- 3~ 3 June, Jackson Co., JT. COMr10N GALLINULE ._- "4 (2 ad, 2 imm) 6 June. PRM, JT, MH; ii. (1 ad, 4 imm) 9 June, PRM, JT~ . 44 THE MISSISSIPPI KITE

AMERICAN COOT -- 8, summer, Hattiesburg, LG, TF. SEMIPALMATED PLOVER -- 20, 16 June, PRM, JT. PIPING PLOVER -'-'1,19-20J,uly,'HattiesburgV LGiuTF' ('El,;': RUDDY TURNSTONE -- 1, 6-16 June, PRM, JT, MH; 28 July, PRM, MH (E). WILLET -- 1, 22 July, Hattiesburg('TF; GREATER YELLOWLEGS -~ 1, 26 July, Hatti esburg, LG. LESSER YELLOWLEGS -- 1, J9 June, GrenadaState.Waterfowl Refuge, MD. PECTORAL SANDPIPER .. ~-1, 2$ July, Hattiesburg, LG(E). WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER --4, 1 June, Tupelo, 'LC, BC; 60, 9 June, PRM, JT, MH;6Q".16JjJDe,. PRM,-JJ,.~H.,., . '.' - LEA$,r;:$~N,R1?~P~R '::,,1, 11 July." HatUepburg, LG~ . SHOR'f-M,~~~q,.,DQWgCHER ,""'1,;,?JuJy, Horn. I.,.CPC ;J~ ,,1 ' SEMIP~Lt'l~TSB:;.~~~D,PIPER --::J~~:30 May, ,Meridiar, BB~, LCC;,25,1 June, ., 'iTup~Jo 'J'~~~ ,.~C; 150, 18.,J,un,e ,PRM,JT. > "" AMSRlc~N~VQf:Pj;Jjl,;fi. JU~e, PRM,JT; 40, 9 June, PRM .., 42, ,,,~RM,.\II,.68~,i5J)J~y,,PRM'JT(N)... , i .. B~JWK.. NrcK~O STILT -~ 4B,25,JuljY, JT; 112, 28 JulY, ..pRM, MH (N). WI'lSQN\lSi~HALARQPE. -- i (win1;erpl. L'28Ju1Y,:P~M, MH; 1.6 and 7 June, . 'PR'M, MH; JT:' ". ,...... NORTHERN PHALAROPE -- 1, 6 June, PRM Jackson Co., JT, MH (R); 1 (photo), ) Jljn,El L.I?D, .. speclesno longer hjlPotheti ca1. LAUGHING'Gl:JLL '--27, 25-28 July, ~\l1;'l;i.esbllljg;,Jr. XG; BONAPARTE'S GULL -:::: 1, 6 June, PRM,JT, MH. GULL-BILLED TERN .. - '5 (2 pr + 1 downy young), June, sp~n I. off V,J. tip, ofPetiiH3bis 1-:; JJ; DCD j BS(R)...· ."." .... ',.'. •.... '" . ,' .. COMMON TERN -- JQ (nesting), Jun~,$,poil'Qff tip 6ePetit''Bois',L, JJ, CDC, BS. . 'i . . :.,' ..·.'i,.. .' SOOTY TERN -- 19 (14 ad, 5 imm),ll , OC~(lnSpringsj an,.d'Bellefontaine beach, MH\R)...... '.. ." .J"".; ...... '. LEAST TERN -- 2, 12 .Jui];y ;';Hatt'f'esburg';'lG;\2500 ,:'pn'fQurie,SpoHl; ofLW. tipi'O'f Retn)t Bois"L';:JJ,CDC,BJl ' .... ; . '.' ., .. ,..•.. " . ROYAL TERN -- 40 pr, June, spon:'I:.6ff W.,tip ofPetit,BoisL; JJ, CDC, BJ. - ....., . SANDWICH TERN -- 100, 11 July, Ocean Springs, MH;3, 11 July, Hattiesburg, LG"TF;.:500 pr, June; SpOil I. off W. tip of15etit Bois r., JJ, CDC, BJ. - . '. .... BLACK TERN -- 50, 25 July, PRM, JT; 22,11 July, H.attiesburg, LG,TF; 1000, summer, Horn, Petit Bois and Ship 1., JJ, CDC, BS. . NODDY TERN -- 1 (found dead, dried), 5 July, Horn 1., JJ, CDC (R). BLAC~ .SKIMMERi.1:(.;, 150 pr, June, Spoil 1. off the W. tip of petit HoisI., Jackson Co. ,"JJ, CDC, BS. YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO -- 7, 3 June, Jackson Co., Jr.. . '.. WHIP-POOR-WILL -- 1, 3 June, Bridgetown; AY; 1, 4 June, Yacona Ridge State Park, BC; 4, '5 June, Sardis Lake area, BC; 2, 11 June, near Bridgetown, BC. - - . GRAY KINGBIRD -- 5 pr, summer, Horn I., CDCi JJ. GREAT-CRESTED FLYCATCHER -- 15, 3 June, D'Iberville BBS route,JT. EASTERN PHOEBE -- 1, 31 May ,IN. Lauderdale Co., BC; nest with 1 young, 2 Vol. 9(2), December 1979 45

July, Woodland Lakes, RP ACADIAN FLYCATCHER -- building nest, 20 July, Archer I., Ark., NH. CLIFF SWALLOW -- 3 ad, 19 June, Grenada Lake, MD. PURPLE MARTIN -- 400-500 in a 2-mile stretch of levee, 15 July, Archer I., Ark., NH. ------WHITE-EYED VIREO -- 26 m, 3 June, D'Iberville BBS route, JT. WORM-EATING WARBLER ~ 1, 20 July, Hattiesburg, TF. BLUE-WINGED WARBLER -- T m (singing), 1 June, Tupelo BBS route, CDC. YELLOW WARBLER -- 1, lS-July, Hattiesburg, LG, TF. PRAIRIE WARBLER ---12 m, 3 June, Jackson Co., JT. OVENBIRD -- 2, 1 June, Tupelo BBS route, CDC. YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT -- 11,3 June, D'Iberville BBS route, JT. AMERICAN REDSTART -- 1£ Tall for imm), lS July, Hattiesbur9' LG. YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD -- 1 imm m, 22 July, Petal, TF, MF (R). NORTHERN ORIOLE -- 1 m, 1 June, Tupelo BBS route, CDC. SCARLET TANAGER -- T, 1 June, Kemper Co., BC (R); 1, 1 June, Scooba BBS route, BC (R);-l, 1 June, Tupelo BBS route, CDC (R); 1 m, 15 June, Lipscomb's Lake~ HC (R); 1 m, 26 June, Lipscomb's Lake, JE (R); 1 m, 26 June, Sardis Lake, MD TR). BLUE GROSBEAK -- 17 m, 3 June, D'Iberville BBS route, JT. PAINTED BUNTING -~5-7 prs, summer, Hattiesburg, TF, LG; 1, 3 June, D'Iberville BBs-route, JT. - RUFOUS-SIDED TOWHEE -- 42 m, 3 June, D'Iberville BBS route, JT. LARK SPARROW -- 2, 2 June, Aberdeen BBS route, CDC. BACHMAN'S SPARROW -- 1, 2 June, Corinth BBS, BC, LC; 26 m, 3 June, D'Iberville BBS route, JT. -- Key to Observers.-- AY=Alvin Yancey, BC=Ben Coffey, BS=Bette Schardien, CDC-C. DWight Cooley, HC=H. Collicott, JJ=Jerome Jackson, JE=James Ewart. JT=Judy Toups, LC=Lula Coffey, LG=Larry Gates, MD=Marvin Davis, MF=Marl0 Fairley, MH=Malcom Hodges, NH=Nona Herbert, PD=Peter Donaldson, TF=Terri Fairley, WW=Wayne Weber. Key to new or unusual .localities.-- Aberdeen BBS route=Clay Co., Archer I. =Chicot Co. Arkansas, Bellefontaine Beach=Jackson Co. , Bridgetown=DeSoto Co., Corinth BBS route=Alcorn Co., D'Iberville BBS route=Jackson Co., East Ship I.=Harrison Co., Grenada Lake=Grenada Co., Grenada State Waterfowl Refuge= Calhoun Co., Hattiesburg=Forrest Co., Horn I.=Jackson Co., Meridian= Lauderdale Co., Ocean Springs=Jackson Co., Petal=Forrest Co., PRM= Pascagoula River Marsh, Jackson Co., Sardis Lake=Lafayette Co., Scooba BBS route=Kemper Co., Spoil I. off Wtip of Petit Bois I.=Jackson Co., Tupelo=Lee Co., Tupelo BBS route=Lee Co., Woodland Lakes=DeSoto Co., Yacona Ridge State Park=Yalobusha Co. 46 THE MISSISSIPPI KITE

Reviews

Birds and How They Function. By Philip S. Callahan. Holiday House, New York, 1979: 156 pp., black-and-white photographs, glossary. $8.95. Mr. Callahan opens this book with mention of his American Indian ancestry and the close association and appreciation of American Indians for the natural environment. He follows this theme through his book and also draws on his interest in the birds of prey. "Birds and How They Function" is a general book about bird biology that emphasizes something close to "environmental physiology" of birds, but ends up a little weak on the physiological end. The book is written for a nonprofessional audience but it is also rather detailed and technical in places. I would not recommend it for any but the best upper level high school students but it would be suitable reading for anyone interested in birds beyond that level. The information presented is generally accurate and up to date. For example, the author follows the presently popular notion that birds are direct descendants of dinosaurs. The illustrations in the book add to it but are of only good to poor quality. Many of them are of captive birds of prey.--J.A. Jackson, Department of Biological Sciences, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS 39762.

Granivorous Birds in Ecosystems. J. Pinowski and S.C. Kendeigh, eds. New' York, Cambridge University Press, 1978: 431 pp., 60 figures, 76 tables. $47.50. This book is volume 12 in the International Biological Program series. Its content is further suggested by the subtital "Their evolution, popu­ lations, energetics, adaptations, impact and control," but the scope and significance of the book is only hinted at. With increasing human popula­ tions, those animals thit are thought to compete with man for crop resources are coming under increasing scrutiny and many are quick to sug­ gest "control" measures for these "competitors." Granivorous birds ire among the foremost vertebrates to compete for man's grain crops. This volume is a very integrated investigation of the role of granivorous birds in ecosystems. It includes chapters by several investigators. Charles Kendeigh and Jan Pinowski set the stage by identifying the major granivor­ ous species and their ranges. Not surprisingly the House Sparrow and other members of the genus Passer figure significantly in most chapters. Various species of North American blackbirds are also frequently dis­ cussed. Chapter topics include: the evolution of the House Sparrow (R.F. Johnston and W.J. Klitz); population dynamics in the genus Passer and in the fimily Icteridae (M.I. Dyer, J. Pinowski, and B. Pinowska);ibiomass ind production rates (J. Pinowski and A. Myrcha); avian energetics (S.C. Kendeigh, V.R. Dol 'nik, and V.M. Gavrilov); assessment of the impact of Vol. 9(2), December 1979 47 granivorous birds (J.A. Wiens and M.I. Dyer); management of pest situa­ tions (M.I. Dyer and P. Ward); and the adaptive correlates of granivory in birds (J.A. Wiens and R.F. Johnston). While each chapter includes considerabole review material, much new information is included. Happily, it is recognized that of the many granivorous bird species in the world, few have become truly pests. Many that are sometimes considered pests really have a net positive impact on agriculture as a result of their dependence on weed seeds and insects at various times of the year. This volume should be required reading for any about to set out on a "pest bird eradication" program. It is a fine contribution to the International Biological Program series. Unfortunately, the cost of the book will like­ ly limit its distribution.

Birds of Man's World. By Derek Goodwin. Cornell University Press, Ithaca, New York, 1978: 183 pp., numerous line-drawings and black-and-white photographs. $10.95. This small book is about those species of wild birds that have a close association with man. It is informative and quite enjoyable read­ ing, discussing how man has info'uenced bird behavior and how birds have influenced man. Among the many topics discussed are the relationships of birds to our highways, the affinities of some birds for the salt we put along icy roads and walks, why titmice recognize suet as food, and the problems that man thinks he has with birds that "compete" for human food resource~ "Birds of Man's World" is world-wide in scope, though it does have a definite European slant. The drawings and photographs add to the book as does the species index at the end. My only regret is a profes­ sional one; I would like to see a bibliography at the end that would allow me to read further on the subject.--J.A, Jackson, Department of Biological Sciences, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS 39762. 48 THE MISSISSIPPI KITE

Wil~ese. By M.A. Ogilvie. Buteo Books, Vermillion, South Dakota, -1978: 350 pp., numerous maps, line drawings, and 16 color plates. $25.00. A number of books on the waterfowl of large geographic areas have appeared in recent years; I would rate "l~ild Geese" among the better ones. All of the world's species of geese except the Hawaiian Goose are discussed in detail and illustrated in both line drawings and colored plates. Text material discusses the plumages and plumage variants of each species and population, voice, breeding biology, migration, and population dynam-ics. A chapter on "Counting, ringing and population dynamics" w-ill be of particular interest to banders. Ogilvie draws not only on his own extensive experience with geese, but on the copious literature of the group to make a very readable book. The color plates by Carol OgilVie add substantially to the book's attractiveness and use­ fulness, though many of the birds are a bit stylized and "angular" in appearance. Plates illustrate not only the standing and flying adults of each form and age group, but also the downy young and aging and sexing characteristics. The latter should be of particular use to goose banders. Not included in the book is mention of the introduced populations of the Giant Canada Goose that have become established as non-migratory, breed­ ing, wild flocks in different areas of the southeastern U.S. --J.A. Jackson, Department of Biological Sciences, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS 39762.

Handbook of Ethological Methods. By Philip N. Lehner. Garland STPM Press, New York, 1979: 403 pp., numerous black-and-white photographs, drawings, and charts. $24.50. For the person interested in the field study of animal behavior and wondering how to get started, what to measure, how to measure, or what to use in the way of equipment, this volume is a goldmine. If you are alreaqy on your way and are familiar with literature associated with the group of animals you are working with, then much of this book will be too basic. The "Handbook" includes descriptions of the features and use of a wide range of equipment that has been used in behavioral studies: binoculars to spotting scopes, cameras to transmitters. In addition to reviewing basic equipment, Lehner discusses preparation of data forms and various statistical techniques that are applicable to behavioral studies. Much of the book deals with animals other than birds, though most of it would be of use in the study of bird behavior. A 23 page bibliography, an appendix of statistical tables, and a special appendix on the study of social organization (by Glen McBride) all add to the quality of this volume. In general this should be a very useful volume.--J.A. Jackson, Department of Biological Sciences, Mississippi State University, Missis­ sippi State, MS 39762. Vol. 9(2), December 1979 49

The Birds of John Burroughs. Edited by Jack Kligerman. Hawthorne Books, Inc., New York, New York, 1976. 240 pp., drawings by Louis Agassiz Fuertes. (softcover). This book, a series of essays by John Burroughs, offers insights into the life and thoughts of this great naturalist of long ago. Before any of us lifted binoculars and struggled through field guides, John Burroughs, (1837-1921) had mastered the art of watching nature without recourse to sophisticated gadgets and capsulized reams of research by all who had gone before. John Burroughs was a pioneer naturalist; keen observations and insatiable curiosity about the interrelations of living things led him to ponder many mysteries, pose many questions, and, until his death, to seek answers. Through this well selected group of essays, the reader is drawn into the mind of a man who knew how to watch what we so often ignore. The nine essays in this book serve as an enticement to read more of Burroughs. The introduction by Jack Kligerman is like a crash course into Burroughs' background, and should be read. The Birds of John Burroughs is easy, pleasant reading which should leave the peruser with the feeling that we do not watch nearly as well as the "Sage of Slabsides." --J.A. Toups, 4 Hartford Place, Gulfport, Mississippi 39501. t'W"~------~~------~-~~------

THE MISSISSIPPI KITE

Mississippi Ornithological Society Organized 30 April 1955

Offi cers President: Larry Gates 2911 Mami e St. Hattiesburg, MS 39401 Vice-president: Nona Herbert Rte. 2, Box 146 Shaw, MS 38773 Secretary: Judy Toups 4 Hartford Place Gulfport, MS 39401 Treasurer: Nellie W. Hughes Box 1802 Mississippi State, MS 39762 Editor: Jerome A. Jackson Department of Biological Sciences Mississippi State University Mississippi State, MS 39762

MOS r'lemberships Honorary No dues Life $100.00 Sustaining 10.00 (or more) Active 5.00 Corresponding 5.00 Library Subscriptions 5.00 Junior (students under 17) 2.00

Membership and subscription dues should be sent to the treasurer. The Mississippi Kite is currently published irregularly and is sent to all classes of membership